Simon Costin from the Museum of British Folklore – co-curator of Un/Common People, a touring exhibition about Wessex folk culture – explains why staying in touch with our everyday past (and present) matters.
Why Folklore Still Matters
Folklore is important because it preserves cultural identity, strengthens community bonds, and passes down traditions, values and wisdom across generations. It’s a way for people to express shared history, beliefs and experiences through stories, songs and rituals.
Seasonal customs and events help maintain a community’s heritage, keeping traditional knowledge, myths and legends alive. In essence, folklore is the living memory of a culture—shaping how societies understand their past and envision their future.
The Power of the Everyday
As wealth and power become increasingly concentrated, the contributions of everyday people are often overlooked or dismissed. Yet innovation, resilience and cultural richness often come from the ground up—ordinary people finding extraordinary ways to navigate and transform their world.
The folklore of the everyday—whether through art, storytelling or community—has the power to reshape society from below.
“The folklore of the everyday has the power to reshape society from below.”
Curating the Uncommon
Un/Common People was curated by Mellany Robinson, Amy de la Haye and myself. One of the most surprising discoveries was the richness hidden in the archives of five regional museums:
Folklore is deeply rooted in everyday life, often passed down orally or through performance, which makes it hard for institutions with static collections to preserve. Historically, museums have favoured elite or “high culture” artefacts, marginalising folk traditions. But that’s changing.
Today, more institutions are embracing folklore’s significance by including multimedia exhibits, immersive storytelling, and community-driven projects.
Favourite Wessex Traditions
The Grovely Ceremonies – Great Wishford, Wiltshire
Celebrated on 29 May, this ancient custom marks villagers’ rights to collect wood from Grovely Forest—dating back to at least the 13th century and reaffirmed in 1603 in Salisbury Court.
At dawn, women gather symbolic wood in Grovely Woods. Later, villagers march into Salisbury Cathedral Close, chanting:
“Grovely! Grovely! Grovely and all Grovely!”
This ritual reasserts ancient rights in a vivid public celebration.
Cerne Abbas May Day – Dorset
Held at dawn on 1 May on Giant Hill, near the iconic chalk Cerne Abbas Giant (yes, the one with the famously “lively appendage”). Morris dancers welcome the rising sun—a symbol of fertility and good fortune.
One highlight: the reappearance of the Dorset Ooser, a mysterious horned wooden mask with a grotesque face and articulated jaw. The original vanished in the 19th century, but replicas still appear today.
🎧 Listen to Chlöe Herington’s Wessex folk songs
